Southeast Fall Ironman

I'm also shooting to do my first 140.6 next fall, so I've been trying to follow this pretty closely. They're being pretty tight-lipped about it from what I can tell. The news stories I have read seem to indicate that the cities that proposed are getting pretty antsy about the lack of an announcement.

I read a completely unsubstantiated rumor that claimed WTC wanted to wait until after the proposed date to make the announcement. So that would point to a September announcement. But that's not at all what they did with Boulder, so I'm a bit skeptical.

Have you guys thought about Beach to Battleship in Wilmington, NC? It's a great race.

Personally, I'm trying to keep all of my options open. I just don't want to get too far into the decision process if there's going to be a new WTC race in the mix.

To be painfully honest, though, I really doubt I'll do a non-WTC race for my first full distance. I'm a sheep and I want the full spectacle.

Edited by rageeumr 2013-08-06 1:48 PM

Haha fair enough. I've done both and the only better part of the WTC race was the finish. The rest was pretty much equal as far as the course and race support and all that goes. The price tag: Definitely better at the non-WTC race. Oh and the swim was way less crowded too.

But yes, I understand. And that packed finish line is pretty amazing.

Oh, I thought the announcement would be in July. It makes sense that they would announce it in September. I live near Hilton Head, so I'm really pulling for them, but if they don't get it I'm considering the Great Floridian.

I thought I'd read an announcement was expected in July also. Pulling hard for Asheville, despite the likely brutal bike course!

I've heard it is down to 3 locations but no news when they will announce.  Towns being considered thought they would have an answer by July as well.

I've heard through a somewhat reliable source that it will be in Chattanooga. meh.

Was working Steelhead this weekend and asked one of the WTC course workers about this. He was pretty certain it was Chatanooga

maybe they didn't like any of the options and are just hoping people forget they said they would announce one.

I'm the same way. Call me a sheep if you want but that finish line atmosphere is what made me want to do the distance. That said if I enjoy the distance (can you really enjoy it?) I plan to do B2B or Rev3 Cedar Point next year. Any non-WTC race that can draw a crowd I'm interested in. I wish HITS drew a bigger crowd (of racers). Price just can't be beat but it'd be rough to be all alone all day. Just can afford for them all to be IronmanTM races

I'm pulling hard for Dahlonega. Or Boone.

Just saw on Facebook that Ironman said the announcement would be this week sometime. Looking forward to seeing where as I was thinking IM Louisville, but would be interested in a southeast US one too for my first M-dot brand IM. FWIW, just commenting on non WTC/WTC events: my first 140.6 was the Great Floridian Triathlon last Oct. They had a special going on in late Oct - $250 for a full 140.6! Couldn't beat that price for my first one...heck, that's what I pay for HIM! Small field too - only around 200 folks to start. No less challenging, though, as this was NOT the flat part of Florida! Granted, after talking to folks later about the differences between IM brand vs independents, sounded like there is what I would call more race day athlete support for the price you pay. But I think I was still treated well and my finishing time with the small field allowed me to take an AG award. I hear from many folks that B2B is a pretty good event too and also is less than IM brand.

Anyway, gone off subject enough....check Ironman FB page for the announcement,

Slowtwitch board reporting it's Chattanooga as well. Very disappointing.

Edited by Patrick E 2013-08-13 1:07 PM

The Ironman Facebook page indicates that there will be an announcement this week

Official announcement this week per WTC on their FB page.

Sorry Chattanooga does not get my blood going......a southeast coastal one from VA, to GA would have been great.

Regarding branded vs. non-branded...I went nuts trying to decide and I was happy to do IMLP as my first.....has nothing to do with the distance. IMHO if you get through 140.6 at any venue is a big accomplishment......I just wanted to be enamored with the mystique of the IRONMAN and I was for my first..........with that said I would do a non-branded for my next one but it would have to be well attended like B2B, cedar point because I cant imagine being out on that run all by myself and no fans to speak of......thats why I wish the HITS was more popular

I understand wanting Asheville or the coast. But Chattanooga is a great city. Cycling nationals were there this year. Have done the waterfront OLY triathlon past couple of years, very fun atmosphere and quite scenic. Willing to bet it will be a great race.

Word is that Hilton Head was 1st choice but would not cough up the money that WTC wanted so they went to #2 and that supposedly is Choo Choo Town

Could you actually see this taking place from a logistics perspective in HH? Chat will be a great race, have the ability to throw some hills in there (but not make it crazy), great downtown environment along the waterfront.. I think it has the potential to be a great event, i'm curious on the swim though. I would imagine they would want to make it a downstream swim, but not sure where the put in point would be.. I figure people would love that part of it..

I agree Chatty is probably a wise choice. It's really a great town. I live in Asheville, and while I would probably race were the event to be here, it would be a logistical nightmare getting athletes to Lake Lure, which is a complete bottleneck even for a small tri. Plus the course would be brutal moreso than many would like.
Still, I don't trust that WTC isn't perpetuating rumors for the buzz, so I still think we've got a 33.3% chance.

If it isn't us, it would rock if setup rev3 or even Challenge came and staged a full here. Id rather give them my cash, to be honest.

with no good lake in Ashville I think someone should do ala American Zofigen and create a brutal long course duathlon with a sampling of all craft breweries in town available at the end.

I would have loved to see IMATL. Start the race in Lake Lanier or Allatoona, T1 at the lake, bike from the lake to Centennial Olympic Park or Piedmont Park, T2 in the park, and then follow the Georgia Marathon loop with a finish in downtown or Midtown Atlanta.